Armenia withdrew accused of a coup officer from the post of Secretary General of the CSTO

Secretary General of the Organization of collective security Treaty (CSTO) Yuri Khachaturov has been dismissed. The message on it appeared on the website of the organization.

“In accordance with the established procedure initiated by the Armenian side, the procedure of early withdrawal from office of the Secretary-General of the organization of collective security Treaty the representative of the Republic of Armenia Yuri Khachaturov G. completed. Decision of Council of collective security of the CSTO Khachaturov was relieved of the office of the Secretary-General of the organization”, — stated in the message.

The duties of the Secretary General of the CSTO responsibility of the Deputy Secretary-General of the Russian Valery Semerikova.

At the end of July Khachaturov and former President of Armenia Robert Kocharian accused of overthrow of the constitutional order during the events of 1-2 March 2008. Then Kocharian imposed a state of emergency to disperse out in the streets of the opposition — supporters of Armenia’s first President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who took part in the 2008 elections, but lost.

Ter-Petrosian and his supporters demanded a recount. The rallies escalated into riots that were suppressed by the authorities. Among the dead were supporters of opposition and law enforcement officials. Khachaturov was in command of the Yerevan garrison of the Armed forces of Armenia and led the crackdown.

July 27 Khachaturov was released by court on bail, and the next day Yerevan appealed to the CSTO partners with a proposal to replace the Secretary General of the organization.

A few days later the newspaper “Kommersant”, citing sources in the Russian government agencies reported that the Kremlin is annoyed by attract Khachaturov to justice in Armenia, and the criminal prosecution of the former authorities the current may embroil Moscow and Yerevan. In addition, the issue was previously agreed deliveries of Russian weapons to Armenia.